Understanding Geisha | Blog | Travel Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization)

There are few people out there, with even the vaguest knowledge of Japan, who would fail to recognise the poise and grace of a perfectly-coiffed, chalk-faced lady decked out in fine silk kimono and precarious footwear. But rather thantheir iconic style, it’s the secrecy surrounding their profession that has fueled the curiosity of foreigners and locals alike.Geikoare still part of the Kyoto arts sceneEven a brief glimpse of geisha on the dimly-lit streets of one of Kyoto’s go-kagai (five geisha districts) can be a great thrill. Luckily for visitors who are especially keen for a more meaningful encounter with geisha, though, this is gradually becoming easier.Geisha, literally meaning “arts person” are best described as high-end entertainers. They train in a wide range of traditional performing arts, as well as etiquette, and most often, tea ceremony. Most of the roughly 250 working geisha today in Kyoto are not from the city, and so are obliged to study the Kyoto dialect too. The art of...